The week of March 23rd I continued working on my portfolio little by little because many people constantly asked for the computers half way through the class. For this project, I decided to pace myself because my portfolio was not exactly the most challenging thing in the world. I only put in two pictures that I was sure I was going to use for my portfolio. The last time I had said that I was going to make each picture last 30 seconds. If I were to do that, my slideshow portfolio would last 5 minutes. I tested it out and 30 seconds was rather long for one picture. I am still not decided as to how long each picture will stay up because I don’t know what would be suitable I may think that 5 seconds is enough someone else may think that 10 seconds is enough, I will be sure of my answer through my testing.

For the designs of my cd labels I decided to keep them as they are.  However, instead of using my designs as cd labels I’m making them into cd covers. I attempted to try and make my own cd label, it did not workout like I hoped it would. I decided to draw the label that I chose for my portfolio (which is design 2 – la vie en rose) using only colored pencil crayons. Once I finished drawing I scanned my label onto my computer and saved it as a file. I then put “label” paper into my printer, which is adhesive paper, and printed out my scanned design. This did not work out so well because to cut out the label for some reason I was never able to make it the exact size of the cd so it was either too big or too small. I then decided to compromise, I would still keep my original design but make a cd cover instead.

That is a very good question and I’m pretty sure everyone has their own answer. What is my opinion on the matter? Well, I can’t really speak on everyone’s behalf but I can say that for myself, yes it does make me lazy. When it comes to my computer I can’t seem to seperate myself from it it’s my life, literally. For instance I have to write an essay for my english class but I am too lazy to even start it. I keep going on facebook and looking at everyone’s pictures or commenting or writing wall posts. I used to have a tv in my room but that got taken out because it would take me forever to get ready in the morning. It’s bad and I’m the first to admit it but it’s even getting worse since it’s the end of the year. However, within me somewhere I find the will to pull myself out of the laziness.

The week of the 20th I used the computer twice which means that I was hogging the computer in a way. On the 24th of March since I gave up the computer, to make someone else work, I worked on a case study. The case study was about photoshop and the positive and negative effects of it within our society.

March 17th and 20th is when I began working on my project. I was planning to start on the 13th but unfortunately I did not have my USB key with my photographs in them. This class I brought my USB key I plugged the key into the computer. Once that was done I uploaded all my pictures onto the computer and saved them in my personal folder which is in our class folder. I decided to work with the program Flash which is like a short movie program. I didn’t really do any concrete work I was simply testing and placing the pictures on the layout. I was also timing how long it would take to get through the entire slideshow. I am debating between making the pictures last 30 seconds or a whole minute and then move on to the following picture.

When I began taking pictures they were straight on portaits without any abstract or color alterations. A picture can be dull or interesting and like the very famous quote says “A picture is worth a thousand words” when I take my pictures I like to make my pictures worth those thousand words. A photograph are, I think, the most memorable things to posess because they represent the moment right then and there. What I also think is very important to have a lot of color in pictures. I try to make my pictures vibrate with color. Color is a very important thing to have in life, without it everything would be dull and lifeless. For this particular portfolio I decided to show my new collection of photographs. I decided to make every one of my pictures be either entirely pink or have hues of pink or be black and white with pink accents. Why did I choose the color pink? The color pink symbolizes calm, neutralization of disorder, relaxation, acceptance and contentment. At the time I was taking the pictures I was feeling quite depressed and upset, I needed a way to liberate myself from these toxic feelings. Photography always helps clear my head but I wanted to feel those emotions and wanted to make a happy energy radiate from my pictures through to me. If I can feel calmer I would like to show to others what an effect it can have on someone.

March 9th – This class I will spend researching artist statements on the internet. Once I have finished that I will write my own artist statement, right here, on my blog page.

March 11th – I will have uploaded all my pictures that correspond with my Pink theme and upload them onto my 2 gigabyte USB key. Once I have done that I will plug my USB key into the computer at school and look through all my photographs and select the 10 best ones for my portfolio.

March 13th – I still have not come up with which program I plan to use to display my photographs. By this class I hope to have tested which program would better suit my portfolio. I am debating between Flash or Indesign.

March 17th – Today I will begin my portfolio using the program I chose and start putting my photographs onto the layout or slideshow.

March 20th – I will continue fixing whatever needs to on the computer for my portfolio.

March 24th – This class I will hopefully be finished my portfolio and simply adding the finishing touches.

March 26th – If I still have not finished my portfolio, I will use the computer open up my program and continue my work.

March 31st – This class I will redraw my CD label nicely with pencil crayons and clean white paper.

April 6th – I will have completed my CD label and scanned it onto the computer which I then will save on my USB key. I will also save my work and burn it on the CD. I will then print on label paper that I will buy at Bureau Engros.

April 8th – The due date!

I think if I stay on this scheduel I won’t have a problem for timing or disorganization. If I do get off track I will be sure to catch up as soon as I can.

For this section of the project I need to create a number of certain designs for every aspect of the project. I am doing a CD therefore I will need to design the CD label. I used scrap paper and pencil crayons to come up with my designs. The designs I do now will most probably be the one’s I follow throughout my entire project. Here are my designs for every aspect of this project:

CD Label

Design 1:  I drew a black background with stars starting from the top of the cd label all the way to the end. Towards the third half of the cd cover I made the stars cross straight across the cd and then continue down. I colored the stars gold because that’s usually the color used to draw stars. The stars goign across the page I decided to color them differently. One of my portfolio’s, I took pictures solely on stars. From cut out stars to glittery stars to the stars in the sky using different hues and effects.

Design 2: My second cd label I thought of another “photoshoot” I did using the color pink either throughout the whole picture or the whole picture would be black and white except for pink accents. I decided to write in cursive on the cd label ”La Vie en Rose” The background is a pale pink, the writing in a bold red and the word “Rose” in a dark pink.

Design 3: My third cd label is not really anything that represents a theme that I thought of while taking my pictures. If I am to choose this cd label I would use random pictures I have taken. On the cd label I drew what looks like mandala, there are petals that I colored pink with green in the middle of the petals. The background is a pale purple and on the edge of the label, half circles colored dark pink.

Design 4: My last cd label represents a theme I once thought of when I was taking some pictures. The theme was Vogue. On the label I wrote the word Vogue all together in black and magenta. The background of the word Vogue is colored light purple. Below I drew half of a blue flower with a purple center. The background is a lime green.

After looking through all my designs the one I think I will use is my second design “La Vie en Rose”.

When Mr. Penning introduced the ads for “Pepsi Max” to our class today, to be honest I was in shock. Before seeing the ads I already thought that the idea of making a calorie commit suicide was a bit much. Then when I saw the ads the only thing I could think of was “ew”, literally. It may be a cartoon but however it is very, very graphic. It’s bad enough just to mention the fact of suicide but then to push to the extent that “Pepsi” has by making the calorie commit suicide in about 4 different ways in each ad was a little unnecessary. To be honest if I wasn’t told that it was an ad for “Pepsi Max”, I would’ve never thought it was an ad for a soft drink. The only writing there is in the whole ad is the slogan “One very, very lonely calorie.” and in a very small print it says “Pepsi Max”. The whole idea is just uncalled for because suicide is not something to take lightly because number one the age group that actually enjoys soft drinks the most are teenagers and it just so happens that the same age group is highest ranked when it comes to suicide. It also affects adults as well because, of course, there are adults who are suicidal as well. These ads are just mocking the people who feel lonely and who have had thoughts of suicide or who have actually commited suicide. The marketing agents who came up with the idea obviously thought that a cartoon would lighten the situation a little bit but I find it even more insulting to those people. To top it off they recognize that it’s wrong but they keep advertising it anyway, this  just shows how much they don’t care about the people and are just doing it to make money. When it comes to the line between fun and mean they totally crossed that line. This world is already messed up, their just adding to the mess with these ads.

For this week’s blog we had to make a list about what we feel the top 10 inventions should be.

10 – Music For my number 10 I chose music. I chose music because I believe it is something that does facilitate our lives it is a freedom of expression it helps relax us when we need it, it gives us an adrenaline boost when we feel our weakest. I think it is an important aspect in our lives to give us a piece of mind with all the craziness there is going on.

9 – Dishwasher I believe the dishwasher is a life saver. In the olden days they would wash all the dishes by hand. Call me what you will but I hate washing dishes by hand. Number one I’m a clumsy fool so I drop everything I touch and number two the dishwashing soap dries out my hands making my hands feel like elephant skin. I love the dishwasher.

8 – Washing Machine Like the dishwasher it is a life saver. It is so convenient for people who are very busy and cannot be bothered with washing the clothes. You just seperate your piles of clothes, throw them in the machine, add some soap and push the button. It’s much simpler and less of a hassle.

7 – Ovens I think ovens are a good invention because obviously we don’t live like ancient man, we don’t use fire to cook our food. It is a quick and easy way to cook any meal or dessert. It is also safer because as much as the microwave is convenient it is actually quite harmful because of it’s rays.

6 – Television The television is a great invention because as much as it is entertainment it is also informative. When someone wants to sit down and relax, they can turn on the tv and watch their favorite show or put in a movie. If they want to know what’s going on in the world they can turn to their local news station. It may be an addiction for some people but I believe that it is a necessity to distract and make people focus at the sametime.

5 – Computer The computer serves the same purpose as the television apart from the movie and show part. But it does inform people with local news stories and articles. It can also be an entertainment when you can go on so many websites like youtube, facebook, myspace etc.

4 – Telephone The telephone is a very important invention. Without it we would not be able to communicate as instantly as we can. When there is a crisis you can just pick up the phone and dial 911 and in moments you can get help. That wouldn’t have worked very well if we had to run to the police station to get help or write the police station a letter.

3 – Cars Cars, trucks, busses and trains are definite necessities. Without these inventions we would not have the most important means of transportation. They’re faster than means used in the olden days and they are perfected more and more as the world evolves. They may pollute the air but as I said they are evolving into more ecological automobiles.

2 – Beds I know, why beds? Well, I am a person who loves to sleep. I cannot live a day without sleeping here and there once and a while, I die if I don’t. Beds are the most fabulous invention, creation if you will, because they are comfortable and fulfill my need to sleep restfully. The bed is a place of relaxation in a way, why would it not be important? Many people are just too tense and too stressed out if they had a nice snooze on a comfortable bed they can wake up refreshed, forgetting completelt why they were so stressed in the first place.

1 – Hospitals Last but not least my number one. The reason I chose hospitals as number one is because they are life savers, literally. People who need treating or a check up or surgery, they would be totally screwed if we did not have hospitals to treat these patients. Doctors nowadays are so well trained and we are constantly improving medicines and making new discoveries, we need them more than anything.